Supplier evaluation and SA8000 audit are just as important to an organization’s success as its supply chain management plan, so it’s crucial to choose your suppliers carefully. By conducting an SA8000 supplier audit, you can ensure that your suppliers have the systems in place to make sure your products are being produced according to labor laws and with ethical standards in mind. Read on for some tips about what makes for a great supplier and how to conduct an SA8000 audit on them.
Why supplier audits are important
A supplier audit is an excellent way to monitor the quality of your suppliers' products and practices. An in-depth supplier audit will provide you with valuable information about what your suppliers are doing right, what they need to improve upon, and who you should be doing business with. A supplier audit is also required for any company that wishes to become certified under the SA8000 guidelines. The importance of conducting a supplier audit cannot be stressed enough, as it can help your business maintain its ethical standards and save time by eliminating suppliers who do not meet the company's criteria.
What is the SA8000 standard?
SA8000 is an internationally recognized standard created to protect the rights of workers in the supply chain. The standard was developed by Social Accountability International and audited by Bureau Veritas Certification Services. The audit process involves evaluating four key areas: health and safety, working hours, wages, and social environment. It is important to conduct a supplier audit because if your suppliers are not complying with this standard, they may be putting your company at risk for legal consequences as well as potential public relations issues.
How can you audit your suppliers?
Supplier audits can be conducted in many ways, but one of the best methods is to conduct an SA8000 audit. An audit is conducted by examining your supplier's documentation, facilities, products and labor practices. The auditor will then provide you with a detailed report that includes the findings from their audit. This report can help you determine if your supplier can meet your standards before signing any contracts with them.
What are the benefits of conducting a supplier audit?
Having an up to date, accurate list of suppliers is one way to ensure that your company has the resources it needs.
A supplier audit will also help you identify new suppliers and find better deals. With an SA8000 audit, you'll know what standards are needed in order to make sure that your suppliers produce products that meet your ethical and sustainability standards.
An audit can also reveal any issues with manufacturing practices, such as child labor or hazardous materials being used in production.
Conducting audits as part of your supplier evaluation process will help keep track of what's going on with each supplier while ensuring that they are continuing to provide quality goods at competitive prices.
Wrapping up
We understand the importance of conducting a supplier audit. Whether you're looking to improve your business practices or to prove compliance, it's important to conduct an audit with suppliers. This can be done by auditing yourself or by hiring an impartial third-party auditor. Either way, this will allow you to evaluate all aspects of your suppliers including their safety policies and procedures, quality assurance systems, and environmental management systems. It's important for retailers like us to know that our suppliers are committed to upholding ethical standards in the workplace.